Difference between revisions of "Great Feasts"

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The '''Great Feasts''' of the [[Orthodox Church]] are the major celebrations throughout the [[Church Calendar|liturgical year]].  While various [[saint]]s and events are celebrated with significance on the local level, the entire Church celebrates together thirteen [[feast]]s above all the rest, '''[[Pascha]]''' and the '''Twelve Great Feasts'''.
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The '''Great Feasts''' (major feasts) of the [[Orthodox Church]] are the major celebrations throughout the [[Church Calendar|liturgical year]].  While various [[saint]]s and events are celebrated with significance on the local level, the entire Church celebrates together thirteen [[feast]]s above all the rest, '''[[Pascha]]''' and the '''Twelve Great Feasts'''.
  
 
== Pascha ==
 
== Pascha ==
The feast of the [[Resurrection]] of [[Jesus Christ]], called [[Pascha]] (Easter), is the greatest of the feasts of the [[Orthodox Church]].  It is also called the '''Feast of Feasts'''.  It is celebrated on the first [[Sunday]] after the Paschal Full Moon (''see'' [[Paschalion]]).
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[[Image:Resurrection.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Feast of Feasts]]The feast of the [[Resurrection]] of [[Jesus Christ]], called [[Pascha]] (Easter), is the greatest of the feasts of the [[Orthodox Church]].  It is not counted among the twelve major feasts of the Church since it is considered by itself as the "Feast of Feasts." It is celebrated on the first [[Sunday]] after the Paschal Full Moon (see ''[[Paschalion]]'').
  
 
== The Twelve Great Feasts ==
 
== The Twelve Great Feasts ==
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There are other days of great importance in the life of the Church -- the '''Twelve Great Feasts''', which commemorate and present us again to the historic presence of major events in the lives of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]] and his [[Theotokos|Holy Mother]].
 
There are other days of great importance in the life of the Church -- the '''Twelve Great Feasts''', which commemorate and present us again to the historic presence of major events in the lives of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]] and his [[Theotokos|Holy Mother]].
  
 
Seven greats feasts in honor of our [[Lord]] [[Jesus Christ]] and five great feasts honoring the [[Theotokos]] constitute the Twelve Great Feasts.
 
Seven greats feasts in honor of our [[Lord]] [[Jesus Christ]] and five great feasts honoring the [[Theotokos]] constitute the Twelve Great Feasts.
 
   
 
   
#[[September 8]], the [[Nativity of the Theotokos]]
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# September 21 / [[September 8]], the [[Nativity of the Theotokos]]
#[[September 14]], the [[Elevation of the Holy Cross]]
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# September 27 / [[September 14]], the [[Elevation of the Holy Cross]]
#[[November 21]], the [[Presentation of the Theotokos]]
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# December 4 / [[November 21]], the [[Presentation of the Theotokos]]
#[[December 25]], the [[Nativity]] of Christ (Christmas)
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# January 7 / [[December 25]], the [[Nativity]] of Christ (Christmas)
#[[January 6]], [[Theophany]], the Baptism of Christ
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# January 19 / [[January 6]], [[Theophany]], the Baptism of Christ
#[[February 2]], the [[Presentation]] of Christ
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# February 15 / [[February 2]], the [[Presentation]] of Christ
#[[March 25]], the [[Annunciation]]
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# April 7 / [[March 25]], the [[Annunciation]]
 
#The Sunday before Pascha, [[Palm Sunday]]
 
#The Sunday before Pascha, [[Palm Sunday]]
 
#Forty Days after Pascha, the [[Ascension]] of Christ
 
#Forty Days after Pascha, the [[Ascension]] of Christ
 
#Fifty Days after Pascha, [[Pentecost]]
 
#Fifty Days after Pascha, [[Pentecost]]
#[[August 6]], the [[Transfiguration]]
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# August 19 / [[August 6]], the [[Transfiguration]]
#[[August 15]], the [[Dormition]] (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos
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# August 28 / [[August 15]], the [[Dormition]] (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos
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==Icons of the Twelve Great Feasts==
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<gallery>
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Image:Nativity_Theotokos.jpg|The Nativity of the Theotokos
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Image:Elevation.jpg|The Elevation of the Cross
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Image:Entrance.jpg|The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
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Image:Nativity htm.jpg|[[Nativity icon|Nativity of Christ]]
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Image:Theophany.jpg|Theophany
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Image:Presentation.jpg|Presentation
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Image:Annunciation.jpg|Annunciation
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Image:Palm Sunday.jpg|Palm Sunday
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Image:Ascension.jpg|[[Ascension icon|Ascension]]
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Image:Pentecost.jpg|[[Pentecost icon|Pentecost]]
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Image:Transfiguration.jpg|Transfiguration
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Image:Dormition.jpg|Dormition
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</gallery>
  
 
[[Category:Feasts]]
 
[[Category:Feasts]]
 
[[Category:Great Feasts|*]]
 
[[Category:Great Feasts|*]]
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[[fr:Grandes fêtes]]
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[[ro:Praznice Împărăteşti]]

Revision as of 00:26, January 12, 2016

The Great Feasts (major feasts) of the Orthodox Church are the major celebrations throughout the liturgical year. While various saints and events are celebrated with significance on the local level, the entire Church celebrates together thirteen feasts above all the rest, Pascha and the Twelve Great Feasts.

Pascha

Feast of Feasts
The feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, called Pascha (Easter), is the greatest of the feasts of the Orthodox Church. It is not counted among the twelve major feasts of the Church since it is considered by itself as the "Feast of Feasts." It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon (see Paschalion).

The Twelve Great Feasts

There are other days of great importance in the life of the Church -- the Twelve Great Feasts, which commemorate and present us again to the historic presence of major events in the lives of our Lord Jesus Christ and his Holy Mother.

Seven greats feasts in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ and five great feasts honoring the Theotokos constitute the Twelve Great Feasts.

  1. September 21 / September 8, the Nativity of the Theotokos
  2. September 27 / September 14, the Elevation of the Holy Cross
  3. December 4 / November 21, the Presentation of the Theotokos
  4. January 7 / December 25, the Nativity of Christ (Christmas)
  5. January 19 / January 6, Theophany, the Baptism of Christ
  6. February 15 / February 2, the Presentation of Christ
  7. April 7 / March 25, the Annunciation
  8. The Sunday before Pascha, Palm Sunday
  9. Forty Days after Pascha, the Ascension of Christ
  10. Fifty Days after Pascha, Pentecost
  11. August 19 / August 6, the Transfiguration
  12. August 28 / August 15, the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos

Icons of the Twelve Great Feasts